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O A K M A N |
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HARRY OAKMAN TREE PLANTING CEREMONY AT
OAKMAN PARK
FOR ARBOR DAY 2002
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HARRY
OAKMAN [4th April 1906 - 16th June 2002].
Harry Oakman was a modest
gentleman but behind that modesty lay the strong character of the
pioneer landscape designer who transformed Brisbane. Later as Director,
Landscape Division, National Capital Development Commission, Canberra,
he created the most elegant landscaped city in Australia.
Harry was a very private
but human and generous man who possessed many talents. He was an
excellent photographer, a gifted musician who played flute and alto-sax
in the Swing idiom, a talented artist and a continuing student who
honed his skills all his life. More importantly he possessed an
extraordinary knowledge of horticulture, gained during studies at
agriculture colleges in New South Wales in the early 1920's; working
in a flower nursery at West Pennant Hills; as Parks Foreman at Kuringai
Municipal Council from 1927 to 1940 and as Head Gardener, Department
of Parks, Newcastle City Council from1940 to 1946. Harry wrote 7
horticultural books about tropical and sub-tropical gardening. Most
home libraries in eastern Australia would have copies of his books
and refer to them on a regular basis. His influence on practical
home gardening is immeasurable.
In 17 years as Manager of
Parks and Gardens for the Brisbane City Council from 1946 to 1963,with
his skills as an excellent administrator, a leader and instructor
of men, as a dedicated Council officer with considerable political
nous and an innovative landscape designer he produced an enormous
volume of Capital works.
Cast our minds back to 1946
- Brisbane was a very ordinary town emerging from World War Two.
The Civic places were rundown, there were few sports fields of national
standard, few parks that received little maintenance and definitely
no street trees.
Harry, backed by a very supportive
Lord Mayor Chandler, set about to change Brisbane from a county
town into a colourful sub tropical city. He designed or redesigned
every major park in Brisbane. They burst forth with year- round
colour from the boldly shaped garden beds packed with colourful
annuals and perennials. People noticed and started to take PRIDE
in their city.
Think of the City Botanical
gardens, Albert Park, New Farm Park, Coronation Drive,Toowong Library,
Mt Coot-tha lookout and Long Pocket - in fact 200 parks. For
instance New Farm Park contained 40000 rose bushes and was one of
Australia's three outstanding rose gardens.
Harry designed and his team
of 180 [one report says 375 staff] built 40 new sports fields and
revamped another 40. Some of the sports fields were Lang Park, [Rugby
League]; Ballymore Park [Rugby Union]; Marchant Park, [Cricket];
Hawthorne Park. [Cycling]; Downey Park [Athletics track, Hockey
fields and Basketball Courts] and Finsbury Park, [Baseball] .
All city and suburban streets
were planted with 17000 colourful flowering trees and these
planting visually unify and enhance our city enormously. Another
report says 85000 street trees were planted and I'm inclined
to believe this number.
In a reverse situation, try
to imagine Brisbane without 200 quality parks, without 80 national
standard sports and without the thousands of street trees!
We owe so much to Harry Oakman.
Because of his design skill, horticultural knowledge and drive we
have inherited a pleasant, livable, and above all a colourful city
and it is very appropriate that we honour a great landscape architect
by this tree planting ceremony.
Malcolm Bunzli [friend of
Harry].
Malcolm gave the speech at the recent tree planting at Oakman Park.
Oakman Park at the junction of Moggill Road and Union Street, Toowong,
commemorates his work in Brisbane. |
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